I ended up with this pack because it fit the best of the packs in the $200 to $300 range (at the time). I have the belt adjusted all the way down and the shoulder straps all the way up. It can certainly pack a lot. The extra space is nice since at 6'3" a 300 wt fleece jacket takes up a lot of space.

It has a seperate, lower panel to stash a sleeping bag, side compression straps, ski slots, more adjustable straps than I ever thought I'd want, the top coverhas two zipper sections for a map, etc... I was quite happy with the hip belt padding. I was less than happy with the hip belt adjustment mechanism though. But those X-shaped plastic fasteners are commonplace nowadays.

I don't have side pockets. They are available though. It's not waterproof. After three years the ski slots are starting to show a little bit of wear. They do take abuse though, I usually jam my water bottles in the ski slots in the summer. :)

I keep waiting for it to wear out so I can start looking at those expensive packs but it refuses to. :)

The sleeping bag area wasn't big enough for a -20F long synthetic bag, but a down bag fits fine.